With the continuous development of 3D printing technology, more and more special materials are applied to personalized and functional printing, among which Wood material is widely welcomed because of its unique texture and environmental protection characteristics. Wood material is usually made of PLA and other basic materials mixed with Wood fiber, which shows different characteristics from ordinary PLA in the printing process, so it is very important to adjust the printing parameters reasonably when using wood material for 3D printing.

I. Adjustment of nozzle temperature

The recommended printing temperature of Wood materials is generally between 190℃ and 230℃, depending on the brand and wood content of the materials. The higher the wood content, the higher the extrusion temperature is usually needed to ensure good fluidity. If the temperature is too low, it will lead to poor extrusion, material breakage and even plugging; If the temperature is too high, the wood fiber may be burnt, which will affect the appearance and strength of the finished product. Therefore, it is suggested to start at 200℃ and gradually adjust to the best effect.

Second, the printing platform temperature

Wood material has a relatively low requirement on the temperature of the platform, so it can be printed without heating the platform in most cases, but using a heating platform (usually set at 50℃~60℃) is helpful to improve the adhesion of the first layer and reduce the phenomenon of edge warping. The platform suggests using surface treatment methods suitable for PLA materials such as glass plate+glue or PEI plate.

Third, the printing speed control

Because Wood material contains wood particles, its fluidity is slightly worse than that of pure PLA, so the printing speed should not be too fast. It is recommended that the printing speed be controlled between 30 and 50 mm/s. Excessive speed may lead to uneven extrusion and poor interlayer bonding. For the detail part, reducing the speed appropriately can improve the printing quality.

Iv. settings for back pumping and extrusion

Wood material is sensitive to pumping parameters. Excessive pumping distance or speed is easy to cause plugging or material breakage. It is suggested that the withdrawal speed should be set at 20~30mm/s and the withdrawal distance should be 1.5~3mm (adjusted according to the extruder type). At the same time, keep the nozzle clean and regularly check whether there are wood particles piled up.

Five, the height and filling rate

In order to reduce the blocking risk of wood particles in the printing process, it is suggested that the height of the layer should not be less than 75% of the nozzle diameter. For example, when using a 0.4mm nozzle, it is recommended that the minimum floor height should be no less than 0.3 mm. In addition, properly increasing the filling rate (above 20%) can enhance the strength of the model and make up for the brittleness of Wood material itself.

VI. Post-treatment suggestions

After printing, the Wood material model can be polished, varnished and dyed to improve its wood texture. It is suggested to grind from coarse sandpaper to fine sandpaper step by step, and finally wood oil or varnish can be sprayed to enhance the wood grain effect.

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To sum up, although there are some challenges in the printing process of Wood materials, high-quality wood effect models can be obtained by adjusting the printing parameters reasonably. Whether it is used for artistic creation or functional parts, mastering the printing skills of Wood materials will bring more possibilities and creative space for 3D printing.